Philip McCarthy was the son of Richard Francis and Elizabeth McCarthy, of Cranford, Middlesex.Private McCarthy successfully completed his parachute training at Ringway on 27 July 1944. It was noted that he was a "good performer-keen and confident" He was posted to the Airborne Forces Holding Unit before being transferred to 7th Battalion, The Parachute Regiment.

Pte McCarthy died on 4 January 1945 and is buried at Hotton War Cemetery, Belgium.